Journal box



- March 31, 1942. as. BARROWSV 2,277,812y

- JOURNAL BOX Filed sept. so, 1940 :s sheets-'sheet' 1 bz2 E I l Il' ,'l j, I I l i 5 5- 'l *22 L25 I n: Za

I; Lin -f -I/g g l GMM/MMA .March 31, 1942. D s, BARROWS 2,277,812

JOURNAL BOX Filed Sept. 30, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "HV f7.

Maak 31 1942.

D. s. BARRows I 2,277,812

JOURNAL -Box Filed Sept. 30, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jaya@ ,1.5.7 Barrow ,l l A. c. w I( @www Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNITED STATES TET OFFICE JOURNAL BOX Application September 30, 1940, Serial No. 359,165

12 Claims.

The invention relates to a journal box and associated elements adapted for use in a railway vehicle.

An object of the invention is the provision of a journal box having a bearing and wedge capable of moving relative to the journal box so that an axle extremity, housed within the journal box, may move freely in a horizontal angular direction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a journal box having an axle extending therein with a movable thrust bearing interposed between theaxle and journal box so that, irrespective of the horizontal angular disposition of the axle relative to the journal box, an ade, quate bearing area will be presented to limit the longitudinal movement of the axle and associated elements.

A feature of the invention is to provide rotatable guide lugs in a journal box so that a wedge and bearing may move in unison with ang axle in an angular horizontal direction.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a rotatable thrust element or front roof stop lug which acts as a barrier to limit movement of a wedge longitudinally of an axle in one direction and still allow an angular horizontal movement of the wedge relative to a journal box.

An added feature of the invention is to provide a member depending from a roof of a journal box and a wedge within the journal box reacting upwardly against the depending member solely.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by referring to the illustrations of the accompanying drawings which disclose an exemplified form of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a journal box and associated details of construction embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional View taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional View taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a Vertical cross sectional view taken along the lines 4 4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, with a portion thereof shown diagrammatically to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts, the numeral I illustrates, in a general manner, a journal box for use with a side frame 2 of a railway truck (not shown). The journal box may, as desired, be formed integrally with the side frame, form an element capable of vertical movement relative to the side frame, or be formed as an individual element removably secured to the side frame and capable of movement therewith.

The journal box comprises the usual roof or upper wall 3 spaced vertically from a lower or bottom wall 4, both of which are joined integrally by horizontally spaced side walls 5 to define an access opening 6 therebetween at the forward extremity of the journal box.

An axle l, capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis, has an extremity 8 thereof projecting through a rear wall aperture 9 of the journal box to be housed within the box in spaced relation to the walls thereof. superimposed upon the axle extremity and disposed within the confines of the journal box is a brass or bearing Il) which, in turn, carries a wedge ll reacting in an upward direction against a journal box cylindrical or drum-like pendant or bearing block I2 which extends inwardly of the journal box from the roof thereof and is preferably formed integral therewith. It will, therefore, be noted that any forces transmitted from the side frame to the axle extremity will pass through the pendant, wedge and brass.

In a railway truck service forces tend to urge the axle in an angular direction relative to the side frame. If some provision is not made to permit such an angular movement within certain limits the axle will eventually wear the bearing or that portion in intimate contact with the axle extremity corset-shaped or conical to materially reduce the bearing area between the brass and axle and thereby render the brass unfit for continued use. Means has been provided in the present construction to allow or permit the bearing or brass and'wedge to angle in a horizontal plane relative to the journal box with the axle extremity and, in this manner, diminish to an extent the possibility of the axle contacting portion of the bearing wearing corset-shaped. As4

will be noted and as previously indicated, forces are transmitted to the axle extremity through the journal box pendant, the wedge and the brass. It will be hereinafter pointed out, when describing the undiscussed or remaining structure, that while a permissible movement is provided for between the bearing and wedge, this movement is limited to a direction longitudinally of the axle, and that when the axle rotates in a horizontal plane the wedge and bearing are capable of movement therewith. The only forces tending to prevent a united axle, brass and wedge angular movement are those of a frictional character created on the contacting surfaces of the pendant and wedge, and these frictional forces are believed negligible insofar as the purpose and intent of the present structure are concerned.

Means has been provided to retain the bearing and Wedge in a predetermined position and guide them along a fixed transverse and angular or rotative path. For the accomplishment of these purposes there is arranged, within the journal box, a horizontally rotatable member I3 comprising a top web I4 positioned in subjacent relation to the journal box roof and desirably spaced a predetermined distance therebeneath so -that load forces will not pass through the member web to the wedge from the journal box. The web has a substantially centralized round aperture I5 which accommodates the journal box pendant with sufficient clearance therebetween so that the member web will not contact the pendant to create frictional forces which would hamper a rotative movement of the member.

Depending from adjacent the longitudinal limits of the member web I4 are spaced guiding lugs or shoulders I6 which are interposed between the wedge and brass and the journal box side walls. The guiding lugs each comprise an outer or cylindrical flange II having an outer convex cylindrical surface I8 coaxial with a vertical line which coincides with a line of intersection of vertical planes passing through the longitudinal and transverse axes of the journal box, which will be hereinafter termed the vertical axis of the journal box.

Inwardly facing, concave, cylindrical surfaces I9 are formed on the journal box side walls, preferably coaxial with respect to the vertical axis of the journal box. The concave surfaces I8 are positioned adjacent the convex surfaces I-8 with merely sucient clearance therebetween torpermit -a service movement of the rotatable member. It will be noted that since the vertical axis of the journal box is the axis about which the axle extremity rotates in an angular direction relative to the journal box and the convex surfaces I8 of the guiding lugs and concave surfaces `I9 of the journal box are coaxial therewith, any tendency of the axle to assume an angular relationship with respect to the journal Vbox will be definitely controlled or forced to move along a predetermined and fixed path. So as to increase the bearing area between the journal box and rotatable member, arcuate webs 2B extend inwardly of the journal box side walls and are provided with cylindrical concave surfaces 2| forming continuations of the side wall concave surfaces and desirably coaxial therewith. The arms 2l] terminate short of the horizontal limits of the wedge, brass and axle so as to allow for a horizontal angular service movement thereof.

The inner limits of the guiding lugs are each defined by an inner flange 22 which depends from the member web I4 inwardly of the journal box from an associated outer ange I'I. The inner fiange of each lug is disposed transversely of the structure and has an inner extremity thereof merging with a related outer flange. On eachiinner ange is a plane vertically and transversely disposed surface 23 spaced a slight distance from and adapted to be engaged by a correspondingly disposed surface 24 on the wedge so that the member may be moved in a rotative manner in response to a corresponding action of the wedge and thereby guide the wedge through its permissible range of service movements. The adjacent plane surfaces 23 and 24 also form means whereby the slight permissible transverse movement of the wedge in a direction longitudinally of the axle is definitely guided. A connecting flange 22',

extending longitudinally and vertically of the structure, joins the outer extremity of each inner flange 22 and a related portion of the outer flange I 'I to form therewith a rigid durable member capable of withstanding service strains to which it will be subjected. Shoulders 25 outstand horizontally from the brass to partially overlie the guide lug connecting flanges 22', and by reason of this arrangement the brass and wedge are limited in their movement inwardly of the journal box longitudinally of the axle. An upstanding shoulder 25 is formed on the brass to overlie the rear extremity of the wedge and thereby limit a movement between the wedge and brass. The rotatable member, being cupped in the journal box between the side walls thereof, may only move in a direction longitudinally of the axle by an amount equal to the clearance between the related arcuate surfaces I8 and I9. The lower limits of the journal box concave cylindrical surfaces are defined by ledges or shelves 26 which carry the rotatable member and are engaged by the outer flanges thereof so that upon failure or fracture of the top web I4 the guiding lug portions of the member will be retained in their predetermined position and continue to function as intended. It will also be noted that the rotatable member is supported in elevated position by reason of the top web thereof resting upon the wedge.

Means has been provided in the construction to limit the transverse movement of the wedge and brass in a, direction outwardly of the journal box, and for the accomplishment of this purpose there is a front thrust element, roof stop lug or bearing 27 comprising an upper plate 28 positioned in the same horizontal plane as the member top web I 4. Longitudinally spaced arcuate concave inner surfaces 29 are formed on the inner extremity of the upper plate 28 and are desirably coaxial with the vertical axis of the journal box. Positioned inwardly of the journal box from the inner surfaces 29 are longitudnally spaced convex surfaces 30 on the top web I4 forming extensions of the cylindrical surfaces I8 and being coaxial therewith to be positioned opposite the inner surfaces 29 and thereby allow a free or unrestricted rotative movement of the member I3 relative to the thrust element.

Depending from the upper plate 28 and spaced longitudinally thereof are front stops or projections 3| which are positioned in the extended horizontal plane of the wedge. Each projection has a plane longitudinally'and vertically extending face l32 positioned outwardly of the journal box from a correspondingly disposed face 33 on an extremity of the wedge. Since the thrust element faces 32 are adapted t0 `be engaged by the wedge face-23, a llimited permissible movement of the wedge is provided for in a direction longitudinally of the axle. The inner faces 32 merge into transversely disposed surfaces 34 which overlie the wedge outer extremity in spaced relation thereto andare adapted to be engaged `thereby upon a horizontal rotative movement `of the wedge. It will be observed that the `surfaces ..32

` wedge action and 34 form spaced pockets into which the wedge extends, and by reason of this arrangement the wedge is capable of carrying the thrust element through a predetermined range of angular movement and the latter is in a position to limit a longitudinal movement of the wedge relative to the axle outwardly of the journal box.

Abutments or protuberances 35 are formed on the journal box roof and upper extremities of the side walls thereof in the proximity of the opening 6 to project into the clear opening of the journal box and overlie the thrust element outwardly thereof. Therefore, any forces which are imparted to the thrust element by the wedge, tending to urge the former in a direction longitudinally of the axle, will be absorbed by the abutments. The protuberances, spaced longitudinally of the journal box, have inwardly facing cylindrical concave surfaces 36 which are coaxial with respect to the vertical axis of the journal box and in bearing relation with correspondingly formed convex surfaces 31 on the thrust element front stops so that upon any moving the thrust element in a rotative direction about the vertical axis of the journal box to a position different from that illustrated in Figure l of the drawings, such as that illustrated in Figure 5, the juxtapositioned surfaces 36 and 3l will still afford appreciable bearing areas between the thrust element and journal box to overcome forces imparted to the element through the medium of the wedge.

Forming continuations of the convex surfaces 3l are side, inclined, plane surfaces 38 on the front stops spaced longitudinally of the journal box and diverging inwardly thereof. The side surfaces are angularly disposed to and spaced from adjacent journal box side walls with the included angle therebetween being substantially the permissible angular movement of the wedge, brass and axle relative to the journal box. As clearly illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, a

side surface 38 may contact the journal box side wall and thereby render the thrust element capable of arresting a continued angular movement of the axle. Platforms, shelves or brackets 39, desirably gusset-shaped, extend inwardly of the journal box from each side wall thereof in lower spaced relation to the roof to partially underlie, at spaced positions, the thrust element stops 3|, and in this manner the thrust element is maintained in an elevated operable position.

In assembling the arrangement of the hereinbefore described instrumentalities the thrust element is inserted into an empty journal box endwise since it is of greater longitudinal extent than the horizontal dimension of the access opening 6. Upon reaching the interior of the journal box the thrust element is elevated to a position adjacent the roof and in the proximity of the block or pendant. Concave surfaces l0 on the element upper plate are formed by a radius equal to the radius of the pendant. The concave surfaces l0 are connected by a longitudinally or horizontally disposed plane surface 4I which is substantially equal in extent to a correspondingly arranged or parallel surface d2 on the pendant facing outwardly of the journal box. By reason of the formation of the surfaces 4U, 4I and 42, the thrust element may be raised to a position adjacent the roof in temporary bearing relation with the pendant, thereby clearing the brackets or shelves 39, and then moved outwardly of the journal box so as to overlie and bear upon the brackets and contact the protuberance surface 36 in elevated operable position. The rotatable member is then inserted into the journal box, and since the overall. 'longitudinal dimension thereof exceeds the clear opening into the journal box, this member must also be introduced into the journal box endwise. When the axis of the aperture I5 coincides with the axis of the pendant the member is then rotated through an arc of ninety degrees to place the guiding lugs in bearing relation with the shelves 26. The axle extremity is then insertedV through thefrear opening 9 of the journal box, at which time the wedge and brass are inserted into the journal box through the access opening 6 to be interposed between the pendant and axle extremity.

I claim:

1. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box having an annular member depending from a roof thereof, rotatable guide lugs supported by side walls of said journal box and having an aperture for the accommodation of said annular member, a rotatable front stop lug carried by said side walls, a wedge interposed between said guide lugs and bearing against said annular member, said wedge being adapted to engage said rotatable front stop lug for limiting movement thereof in one direction, an axle positioned in said journal box and spaced below said wedge, and a bearing interposed between said wedge and axle, said bearing being adapted to contact said guide lugs and wedge for limiting movement thereof in both directions longitudinally of said axle.

2. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box having a member depending from a roof thereof, a wedge reacting vertically against said depending member, an axle in said journal box spaced below said wedge, rotatable lugs supported by said wedge and adapted to guide said wedge longitudinally of said axle, a rotatable front stop carried by side walls of said journal box and forming an abutment to limit movement of said wedge in one direction longitudinally of said axle, and a bearing interposed between said axle and wedge, said bearing being arranged so as to engage said wedge and lugs for limiting movement of said bearing longitudinally of said axle in both directions.

3. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box having a member depending from a roof thereof, a wedge bearing against said depending member, an axle in said journal box in lower spaced relation to said wedge, guide lugs carried by said wedge and having plane vertical surfaces for engagement by correspondingly formed surfaces on said wedge, cylindrical surfaces on said lugs adapted to contact coaxial surfaces on side walls of said journal box to allow a horizontal rotative movement of said wedge and guide lugs relative to said journal box, a rotatable front stop for engagement by said wedge to limit a movement of said wedge in one direction longitudinally of said axle, and a brass interposed between said axle and wedge and being limited in a movement longitudinally of said axle by said guide lugs and wedge.

4. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box having a member depending from a roof thereof, a wedge reacting upwardly against said depending member solely, an axle in said journal box in lower spaced relation to said wedge, rotatable guide lugs interposed between said wedge and side walls of said journal box, a front stop lug having a cylindrical surface coaxial with respect to a surface carried by said journal box to allow for a horizontal rotative movement of said front stop lug relative to said journal box, said front stop lug having a plane surface engageable by said wedge to limit movement of the latter in one direction longitudinally of said axle, and a brass interposed between said axle and wedge and being limited in a movement longitudinally of said axle by said guide lugs and Wedge.

5. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box having a member depending from a central portion of a roof thereof, a wedge reacting upwardly against said depending member solely, spaced shelves on side walls of said journal box, guide lugs supported by some of said shelves and interposed between said wedge and side walls, a front stop supported by others of said shelves and forming a barrier for limiting movement of said wedge longitudinally of said axle, said Wedge, guide lugs and front stop being arranged and constructed so as to rotate horizontally relative to said journal box, and a brass interposed between said wedge and axle and being limited in a movement longitudinally of said axle by said guide lugs and wedge.

6. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box, a member depending from a roof of said journal box, a wedge reacting upwardly against said depending member solely, an axle in said journal box, front abutments extending downwardly from said journal box roof in `spaced relation to said depending member, a rotatable lug interposed between said front abutments and said wedge for limiting movement in one direction of said wedge longitudinally of said axle, a rotatable guiding member having a web portion interposed between said wedge and journal box roof and side lugs interposed between said wedge and side walls of said journal box for limiting movement of said wedge in one direction and guiding said wedge in an opposite direction, and a brass interposed between said wedge and axle and being limited in a movement longitudinally of said axle by said wedge and side lugs.

7. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box roof, a wedge spaced below and reacting upwardly against said roof, an axle in lowei spaced relation relative to said wedge and adapted to angle horizontally relative to said journal box, side walls depending from said journal box roof, coaxial concave surfaces on said side walls, movable lugs interposed between said wedge and side walls, cylindrical surfaces on said movable lugs coaxial with said concave surfaces, plane surfaces on said movable lugs positioned adjacent correspondingly formed surfaces on said wedge for guiding the latter longitudinally of said axle, movable means adapted to be engaged by said wedge for limiting movement thereof in one direction longitudinally of said axle, and a brass interposed between said axle and wedge and being limited in a movement longitudinally of said axle by said guide lugs and wedge.

8. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box, a member depending from a roof of said journal box, spaced side walls extending downwardly from said journal box roof, an axle in said journal box spaced below said roof and being adapted to angle horizontally relative to said journal box, a wedge reacting upwardly against said depending member only, a front stop formed integrally with said journal box roof and having a cylindrical inwardly facing surface, movable means interposed between said wedge and cylindrical surface for allowing said wedge to angle horizontally relative to said journal box and forming a barrier for limiting movement of said wedge longitudinally of said axle, concave surfaces on said side walls, movable means interposed between said wedge and concave surfaces and having convex surfaces coaxial with said concave surfaces, `said movable means acting as a guide for said wedge, and a brass interlocked with said wedge and movable means and being positioned in intimate contact with said wedge and axle.

9. In a rotatably movable member adapted for use with a railway journal box, the combination of a horizontal web said web being apertured for the accommodation of a related element on said journal box, spaced lugs depending from adjacent opposite extremities of said web, said lugs having outer cylindrical surfaces coaxial with respect to one another for allowing said member to rotate and inner plane surfaces of lesser vertical extent than said cylindrical surfaces forming guiding surfaces for an associated wedge, and plane vertical surfaces on said lugs angularly disposed to said inner surfaces forming abutments for an associated brass.

l0. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box having a member depending from a roof thereof, an axle in said journal box and being adapted to angle horizontally relatively thereto, abutments formed integrally with said journal box roof and spaced from said depending member, a wedge reacting in an upward direction against said depending member solely, a thrust element interposed between an extremity of said wedge and said abutments, a guiding member disposed between side walls of said journal box and said wedge, and a brass positioned intermediate said wedge and axle; said wedge and brass being constructed and arranged to move relative to said thrust element and guiding member in a direction longitudinally of said axle; said axle, wedge, thrust element, guiding member and bearing being arranged to angle horizontally relative to said journal box.

ll. In a journal box assembly, the combination of a journal box roof, a wedge positioned below and reacting upwardly against said roof, an axle in lower spaced relation relative to said wedge and adapted to angle horizontally relative to said journal box, side walls depending from said journal box roof, coaxial concave surfaces on said side walls, movable lugs interposed between said wedge and side walls, cylindrical surfaces on said movable lugs coaxial with said concave surfaces, plane surfaces on said movable lugs positioned adjacent correspondingly formed surfaces on said wedge for guiding the latter longitudinally of said axle, and a brass interposed between said axle and wedge and being limited in a movement longitudinally of said axle by said guide lugs and wedge.

l2. In a rotatably movable member adapted for use with a railway journal box, the combination of a horizontal web, spaced lugs depending from adjacent opposite extremities of said web, said lugs having outer cylindrical surf aces coaxial with respect to one another for allowing said member to rotate and inner plane surfaces forming guiding surfaces for an associated wedge, and plane vertical surfaces on said lugs angularly disposed to said inner surfaces forming abutments for an associated brass.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

